Girls aloud

A NEW YEAR and a new start to the breeding season of 2024. Already, we have had our first foal born at the farm here; the early spring always an occasion with hope and promise for the future.

Nobody likes to be pessimistic at the outset of a new year but, after the past sales season, it is clear that we are in the midst of a difficult economic climate.

While there were still many top quality horses changing hands for big prices, and the top of the market remains strong, the middle and the lower ends have been difficult for many breeders and consignors.

There are a number of different theories and reasons for economic downturn, and certainly the impact of war, as well as recession, inflation and cost of living increases is being felt around the world.

It is difficult to see the conditions that some people are facing and not feel a little bit lucky. Despite many challenges facing our industry, we are also blessed with many successes and positives, and we need to bear this in mind.

Conscious of the challenges facing many breeders for the season ahead, the ITBA has organised two seminars for January and February.

The first had a NH focus and took place (as this magazine was being printed) on Wednesday, January 17 in the Lord Bagenal in County Carlow. The seminar titled, “Jumping into the Future”, included a stellar panel, hosted by Lorna Fowler, trainer and breeder.

Joining Lorna was Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock, purchaser of high-profile winners Noble Yeats, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre and Altior; Walter Connors, vet and consignor from his Sluggara Farm whose graduates are headed by 2016 Gold Cup winner Don Cossack; Bertrand Le Metayer, racing advisor and bloodstock agent who has sourced some of the top French jumpers such as Klairon and Edredon Bleu; Peter Molony, breeder and consignor at Rathmore Stud and Goffs representative who has produced top-class horses such as Bobsworth, Sir Gerhard, Telmesomethinggirl and Honeysuckle; Charles O’Neill, the CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, and Richard Pugh, the director of Horses In Training sector for Tattersalls Ireland and director of Irish Point to Point Services.

We will update with all the views put forward in the next issue of International Thoroughbred, alongside the outcome of discussions held at the second planned seminar. This have a Flat breeding focus and will take place on the eve of Goffs February Sale in the Goffs auditorium on Tuesday, February 6.

This seminar will focus on the challenges facing Flat breeders ahead of the coming season and will feature a panel of top class Flat breeders who will discuss the current challenges and offer their opinion on the marketplace.

The panel has yet to be announced for the seminar, but I can advise all that this will be an evening not to be missed.

The evening will be held in conjunction with the ITBA Next Generation and will follow a similar format to the highly successful and well-attended pin-hooking seminar, which took place in November last year.

I AM looking forward to both evenings and getting to meet and chat with so many breeders from both sides of our industry. It is really important, in order to deal with the challenges facing our industry effectively, that we come together to listen and discuss the issues and to find solutions for the problems.

These evenings help to build strategy and make plans so that both NH and Flat breeders can move forward into 2024 and beyond with confidence and commerciality.

The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing’s Stallion Trail is taking place as I write this and I look forward to filling you in on the many visits to different farms that I get to make.

I would similarly love to be making the trip to France to take part in the Route des Etalons, but the mares here have other plans for me!

The only social function I have on my horizon is the upcoming ITBA Annual Breeder Awards, which will reward and celebrate the Irish breeding successes of 2023 on the January 27 at the Heritage Hotel.

It is wonderful to see Irish Breeders and Irish Bred horses recognised as world leaders in such a competitive industry and the breeders can be proud of the hard work and dedication of the many people working in this industry, who have contributed to this success.

The event is also a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge those who have made a lifelong contribution to Irish thoroughbred breeding and the awards are well deserved and a testament to the wonderful people we have working in our industry.

It is also an evening full of fun and catching up with friends – something to look forward to and to brighten up the dark evenings of January.

I look forward to reporting back on all the excitement!